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Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas

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Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas

Birth	:	8 Sep 1912 Alpena, Jerauld County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	24 Aug 1999 Huron, Beadle County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Restlawn Memory Gardens, Huron, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.2755080, -98.2158890
Description	:	Arbutus was born to Reuben Long Gray and Ellen Blanche (Busse) Gray. She married Ernst ("Ernest") Auguste Thomas January 1, 1935 and to that union three sons were born. Arbutus taught in rural South Dakota schools (one-room schoolhouses) for many years, starting when she was quite young---18 or 19 years old. As was the custom, a local farm family who lived close to a school would provide room and board for their teacher. One cold and wintery day, she was riding horseback to school and was thrown... Read More	Arbutus was born to Reuben Long Gray and Ellen Blanche (Busse) Gray. She married Ernst ("Ernest") Auguste Thomas January 1, 1935 and to that union three sons were born. Arbutus taught in rural South Dakota schools (one-room schoolhouses) for many years, starting when she was quite young---18 or 19 years old. As was the custom, a local farm family who lived close to a school would provide room and board for their teacher. One cold and wintery day, she was riding horseback to school and was thrown from the horse. She lay in the dirt road until, finally, a farmer in his horse-drawn wagon happened upon her. He scooped her up, laid her in his wagon and took her to the local doctor's home. As the doctor answered the door, he was just finishing getting dressed and pulled his suspender up over his shoulder. The doctor instructed the farmer to take her "straight to my bed. I just got out of it and it's still nice and warm." She made a full recovery, and went on to teach for many years. On another occasion, a cool fall day sent her to the cellar of the schoolhouse for the first time that session to light the furnace. She found the basement full of snakes! She immediately sent the children home, and told one student to send his father back to rid the building of the slithering intruders. The "Hoskins School", a one-room schoolhouse in which Arbutus was the final teacher, was moved in 1973 to the South Dakota State Fairgrounds at the Dakotaland Museum. Every year during the State Fair, the school is open for tours. Arbutus volunteered for many years during the Fair to teach visitors about her one-room schoolhouse experiences.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas's memorial?
Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas's memorial is located at: Restlawn Memory Gardens, Huron, Beadle County, USA.
When did Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas death?
Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas death on 24 Aug 1999 in Huron, Beadle County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Arbutus Elenor Gray Thomas's memorial?
Latitude: 44.2755080
Longitude: -98.2158890

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Ernst Auguste “Ernie” Thomas

(1909 - 1982)

Siblings

Buford Alvah Gray

(1917 - 1991)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Restlawn Memory Gardens
Huron, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2755080, -98.2158890

2. Ideal Cemetery
Huron, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3363991, -98.1952972

3. Riverside Cemetery
Huron, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3396988, -98.1971970

4. Saint Martins Cemetery
Huron, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3410988, -98.1830978

5. Aquilla Cemetery
Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1963997, -98.2313995

6. Robeson Family Cemetery
Huron, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3787360, -98.2964300

7. Rest Haven Cemetery
Alpena, Jerauld County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1775017, -98.3563995

8. Virgil Cemetery
Virgil, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2904800, -98.4176700

9. Bonny Cemetery
Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1768000, -98.0505000

10. Cavour Cemetery
Cavour, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3776700, -98.0536700

11. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Cavour, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3782997, -98.0524979

12. Reformed Zoar Congregations Cemetery
Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1972010, -98.4468940

13. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Belle Prairie Township, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2341003, -97.9559021

14. Shue Creek Cemetery
Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4494019, -98.0725021

15. Silver Creek Cemetery
Silver Creek Township, Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0764700, -98.1503700

16. Wolsey Cemetery
Wolsey, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4000015, -98.4546967

17. Fairview Cemetery
Lane, Jerauld County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1122017, -98.4113998

18. Riverside Colony Cemetery
Riverside Colony, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4837090, -98.1386260

19. Pearl Creek Colony Cemetery
Pearl Creek Colony, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3289110, -97.9165710

20. Eventide Cemetery
Woonsocket, Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0600014, -98.2842026

21. Saint Wilfrid Cemetery
Woonsocket, Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0602989, -98.2878036

22. Pioneers of 1882 Cemetery
Woonsocket, Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.0539060, -98.2914040

23. Saint Anthony's Catholic Cemetery
Sanborn County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1478400, -97.9504400

24. Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Wolsey, Beadle County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3927994, -98.4985962